Students Network With Industry Professionals
BIMM Bristol hosted yet another successful Futures event this month in which students were encouraged to pose questions to a panel of music industry experts.
Students were treated to an audience with guest panellists from key sectors including…
Richard Pitt – BBC Introducing.
Rich has worked as a presenter and producer at BBC Introducing in the West for over 10 years. He is passionate about supporting unsigned, undiscovered and under the radar musicians.
Jeryl Wilton – Infectious PR.
Jeryl is the managing director at Infectious PR. Some of their clients include Chase & Status, Diplo, Don Diablo, Island Records, Knife Party, Major Lazer, Skrillex and Sub Focus.
“Take every opportunity you can get while you’re at BIMM!”
Rob McGee – Electric Harmony Booking Agency.
Rob is the owner of the Bristol based international booking agency, Electric Harmony. Their roster includes CHILDCARE and Goan Dogs. Rob has been working in the live industry for nearly 10 years and has booked successful tours all over the UK & Europe. Rob had high praise for BIMM, exclaiming that it’s…
“such a great place for new upcoming artists and our future music industry professionals to get the best advice and guidance.”
Joe Talbot – IDLES.
Joe is the lead singer of Bristol based band, IDLES. They released their first album, Brutalism, at the start of the year, to critical acclaim. Since then, they have supported The Maccabees on the London shows of their farewell tour, followed by many festival appearances across the UK and Europe. Most notably, they have recently supported The Foo Fighters at the O2 Arena in London. He exclaimed:
“Bristol has everything you need in order to be whoever you want to be – take advantage of that!”
Tom Paine – Team Love.
Tom began Team Love in 2008 and subsequently launched Love Saves the Day in 2012. He also runs The Love Inn and Love International, a festival in Croatia. Alongside the ‘love’ projects, Tim runs Glastonbury Wow Stage, SimpleThings Festival, Arcadia and The Downs. His main piece of advice for the group was –
“Aim high, get creative and don’t be scared.Fear holds people back. Don’t ever be scared of something you believe in.”
The event was hosted by Tom Frost, founder and director or Crack Magazine and the students obviously relished the opportunity to network with a diverse mix of professionals. Here’s what just a few of the students in attendance had to say on the event.
“Honestly one of the best masterclasses I have been to! Some real and profound advice from a variety of backgrounds.”
George Edwards BA2 Songwriting.
“I’ve never had the chance to go to a masterclass before due to work commitments but I thoroughly enjoyed it. A wide range of perspectives that were enlightening. I will definitely attend as many as I can this year!”
Harry Beaton, BA1 Music Business.
“Brilliant start to the year. All the panel members were great and insight. Joe Talbot was the highlight for me. He gave some really genuine perspective and advice (and I am an Idles fan so win, win!)
Elliott Tottle, BA3 Music Production.
Opportunities to pick the brains of guests such as these are exactly what makes BIMM’s industry and careers programs so essential for students. Giving them the chance to interact with professionals within the music industry is just one of the many ways BIMM prepares its cohorts for a life in music, and most importantly, how to succeed in it!
Jeryl Wilton from Infectious PR finished by saying:
“BIMM is a great environment where the musical talent of tomorrow is given the opportunity to thrive. The students attending the masterclasses I have spoken at are smart, switched on and creatively engaged, and BIMM offers them the chance to meet and network with musicians and music industry professionals alike.”
Be sure to keep an eye on your student email in-box for weekly BIMM newsletters with details on upcoming masterclasses in your college.
